Pioneering indie filmmaker returns to ASU to premiere new dance film, lead workshop

Film and video artist Jon Jost will visit Arizona State University this weekend to work with current ASU students in classes and workshops and to premiere his latest film, “Again and Again.”

“Jon Jost is truly one of the most iconoclastic and self-made filmmakers in history,” said Jason Davids Scott, assistant director of film in the School of Film, Dance and Theatre in ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. “Not only is his work completely unique with a language and style all of its own, but Jon himself is a great teacher because of his dry wit, global experience and eagerness to see students develop their own specific artistic voices and their own cinematic language.”

Jost will screen his new film, which will be followed by a brief talkback at 7 p.m. Jan. 13, at Sun Studios of Arizona. Shot from November 2011 to March 2012, “Again and Again” is a documentary about Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn. The film follows her as she develops a dance work, from beginning until opening night.

Prior to the film screening, Jost will lead a one-day workshop called "Film in Motion: Creating Dance Film."

Dance Professor Marcus White, who is co-hosting the workshop with Scott, said he is looking forward to having students engage with Jost and “his approach to capturing the essence of the dancer and motion through documentary filmmaking.”

“There are many dynamic approaches to think about the intersections of film and dance — Jost’s visit provides an opportunity for our campus community and beyond to create, discuss and talk about his creative process and experiences collaborating with dance makers,” White said.

Jost will also work with students in White’s screendance class. Screendance is an experimental film genre that combines cinematography and choreography and uses dance and movement rather than dialogue to communicate an idea in the film/video.

Scott says the visit with Jost promises to be a great experience. 

“Jost visited our campus three years ago, and students still tell me how much of a profound impact he had on their development,” Scott said.

Details

"Film in Motion: Creating Dance Film" workshop
When: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13
Where: Physical Education Building East, room 132, on ASU’s Tempe campus 
Register: The workshop is free and open to the public, but anyone interested in participating as performers and/or media makers should fill out the online registration form. Deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 12.

Film screening and short discussion
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13
Where: Sun Studios of Arizona, 425 West 14th Street, Tempe
Free: This event is free and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1243175985814655/